Palette Pals ~ Our monthly meeting is on Monday, February 6th at 11 am, followed with a pastel demo led by Gerry Roeder. Those who wish to stay for the demo should bring a sack lunch. The Demo will begin at 1:00 pm. Meet the Artists of the month, Bitsy Amick and Beverly Duncan, whose work is on display beginning February 5th in the library and the hallway adjacent to the Sanctuary. Monday, February 20th and 27th will be apaint day. Call Pat Slater for more information, 262-4867.

Wednesday Night Live ~ "The world of Spies" will be held on Wednesday, February 15th in McSpadden Hall at 5:45 pm.
All are welcome to this event. Tickets are $15, available in the Gathering Place after Sunday services, or in the church office. No charge for children twelve and under.

Men's Coffee and Conversation ~Thursday, February 9th at 10 am. This month's discussion will be based on an article by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market entitled: "Conscious Capitalism, Creating a New Paradigm for Business". Copies of the article are available at the receptionist's desk in the church office or online

Our Yoga Ministry
"Thank you—that was beautiful!"
"Really good! I'll come again!"
These are just two of many good comments after our yoga classes led by church member Shannon Danford. Shannon has wanted for a long time to begin a ministry at NUCC using her professional training as a yoga instructor.
Shannon integrates yoga history and philosophy with her Christian spirituality in her approach to the exercise, relaxation through meditation, and renewal yoga provides.
The Chair Yoga and Basic Yoga classes that Shannon teaches here are uniquely centered in the concept of self-respect and care advocated by Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God…?" Our bodies are sacred, and Shannon, with great skill, helps us remember that.
Yoga Lite & Meditation, Intermediate Yoga and Chair Yoga ~ Offered by Shannon Danford. Please call the church office for dates and times. Donation is $6.00 per class ($5.00 donation per class for Chair Yoga).

Book Club ~Will meet on Monday February 27th, 2:00 pm, in the Parlor. "Missing Mila, Finding Family" by Margaret Ward. Facilitator: Margaret Ward. To order books call Candy Nordland 239-434-6438 (h) or 612-802-2215 (c).

Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power and How They Can Be Restored ~ Rev. Dr. Ron Patterson, Senior Minister. Description: A study of Dr. Marcus Borg's new book, which seeks to reclaim the wisdom and richness of the language of faith and will offer a 'Christian primer' to help us understand the key ideas of our tradition. Dates: Thursdays (Jan. 12 - Feb. 9) ~ 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. or 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Cost: $15 per book / available in the church office. Registration: not required, all are welcome.

Journey to Discipleship ~ Description: Using the DISCIPLE Bible study program, this course provides a dynamic in-depth study of the Old Testament that aims at transformation, not simply information. The curriculum assumes that the Bible is key to renewal in the church and affirms that the canon was formed as it is in order for God to speak to us. Bio: Joan is an experienced DISCIPLE facilitator who believes the journey to discipleship can occur through the fellowship of a small group for study, prayer, preparation, support and servanthood. Dates: Mondays (Jan. 23-Apr. 2) ~ 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cost: $30, includes course text.

Reaching Across the Divide: A Dialogue on Current Issues in Our Multifaith World ~ Stephen Crosby, Interfaith Speaker. Description: Faith is a relevant, powerful, ascendant societal and global force in our world today. Will religion continue to be a conflict source or a path to peaceful solution within the Abrahamic family? What is the way forward: ecumenism, pluralism, secularism, fundamentalism, evangelism, syncretism? Bio: Stephen has been an interfaith speaker for the Religion Department of the Chautauqua Institution in NY and a featured speaker in the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Lifelong Learning Series.Dates: Tuesdays (Jan. 24 - Feb. 28) ~ 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Registration Deadline: January 20.

So What Faith ~ Dr. Greg Smith, Director of Adult Education. Description: Bring a cup of coffee and join in this informal discussion group about matters of faith that matter. Our topics will include the implications of the sermon, blog posts (available at www.sowhatfaith.com) from the prior week, or any topic of interest currently in the news. Dates: Sundays (Jan. 29 - Feb. 26) ~ 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Registration: not required, all are welcome.

Women from History
Portrayals of Women from History by Local Actresses ~ Dates: Thursdays ~ 4:00 p.m. Feb. 23: Marion Nicolay portrays Deaconess Harriet Bedell (1875-1969): a missionary in Everglades City. She has been honored by the state as a Great Floridian, and declared a saint by the Episcopal church. Mar. 29: Damaris Peters Pike portrays Frankie Gershwin. She transports attendees to one of George Gershwin's 1930s parties by way of his sister, who sings several of his best-known songs and reminisces. Cost: $10 per event. Tickets are available at the church office or following the Sunday services. Registration Deadline: Feb. 19 for Bedell ~ March 25 for Gershwin

The Last Week:
A Day-by-Day Account of Jesus's Final Week in Jerusalem ~ Rev. Catherine O'Connell, Associate Minister. Description: A study of Dr. Marcus Borg and Dr. John Dominic Crossan's book. Using the Gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus' final week of life. The Jesus introduced by Borg and Crossan is this new moral hero, a more dangerous Jesus than the one enshrined in the church's traditional teachings. Dates: Tuesdays (Feb. 28 - Apr. 3) ~ 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Cost: $10 per book / available in the church office. Registration: not required, all are welcome.

Reminiscing - Remembering Anew ~ Dr. Al Hannigan, Retired Teacher and Counselor. Description: Everyone frequently reminisces, it's a natural part of people's lives. We will gather to share important memories and listen to others tell their stories. Our time together will invite remembrances from all seasons of life, including childhood and the early adult years. Bio: Al received a Doctor of Education degree from Boston University. He has worked as a teacher, counselor, workshop leader, grant writer, mental health consultant and education specialist. Dates: Mondays (Feb. 6 - Feb. 27) ~ 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Registration Deadline: Jan. 30.

Healing the Heart of Democracy:
The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spiritn ~ Description: A study of Dr. Parker Palmer's new book, which Krista Tippett, the host of Public Radio's "On Being," says is "the book we need for recovering the heart—the very core—of ourselves and our democracy." Dates: Thursdays (Mar. 1 - Mar. 29) ~ 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. or 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Cost: $15 per book / available in the church office. Registration: not required, all are welcome.

Reclaiming Her Story: The Witness of Women in the Old Testament ~ Rev. Beverly Duncan, Assistant Minister. Description: Based on the Bible and histories of the church, the human connection to God was projected as entirely male. This is a seven-session study of women in Hebrew Scripture that gives them voice and will help us recognize and understand how God has always worked powerfully through women as well as men. "Reclaiming Her Story" is designed for women, though anyone who purchases the text and wants to participate in the study is welcome. Dates: Wednesdays (Mar. 14 - Apr. 25) ~ 10:00-11:30 a.m. Cost: $20 per book / available in the church office Registration: not required, all are welcome.

American Religion in the Early 21st Century ~ Dr. Greg Smith, Director of Adult Education. Description: What is the real story of American religious belief, practice and affiliation? To begin answering this question, data from several studies will be considered (including the General Social Survey, National Congregations Study and Baylor Surveys of Religion), with support from recent texts by sociologists (including Dr. Mark Chaves American Religion: Contemporary Trends and Dr. Rodney Stark's What Americans Really Believe). Date: Monday, Jan. 30 ~ 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. or 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Registration: not required, all are welcome.

Assessing and Treating Progressive Memory Loss ~ Dr. Bill Beckwith. Description: How do you know if your senior moments are normal aging or memory loss? Dr. Beckwith will give you the facts on how to know how your memory is working and what you can do to protect yourself. He will provide you with effective, easy to use, and practical techniques to monitor and improve your memory.Bio: Dr. Beckwith and his wife Pamela founded the Life and Memory Center. He has published numerous papers on memory as well as completed over 3,000 individual memory evaluations. He is a weekly columnist for the Naples Daily News. Date: Thursday, Feb. 9 ~ 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Registration: not required, all are welcome.

Church and Synagogue: Rivals or Partners? with Rabbi James Rudin ~ What is the proper relationship between church and synagogue, and why does it matter? The lecture, based on his latest book, Christians & Jews – Faith to Faith: Tragic History, Promising Present, Fragile Future, provides substantive suggestions. Bio: Rabbi James Rudin is widely recognized as an international leader in interreligious relations. He has been affiliated with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) since 1968 in a variety of roles including National Interreligious Affairs Director. He writes a weekly commentary for the Religion News Service. Thursday, Feb. 16 ~ 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Cost: $10.

The Enneagram: Window to the Soul ~ Rev. Martie McMane, Certified Enneagram Instructor. Description: The Enneagram is a description of spiritual psychology that can move us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. The wisdom of the Enneagram is revealed in its extraordinary descriptions of the nine different personality types. It helps us to better see the motivations behind our behaviors, uncovering our strengths and our areas of growth. Bio: Martie is the Senior Minister of First Congregational Church in Boulder, CO. She is a certified Enneagram instructor and, for the last seventeen years, has led Enneagram workshops throughout the country. Dates: Friday, Mar. 2 & Saturday, Mar. 3. Cost: $85. Registration Deadline: Feb. 25.

Pampering Your Soul: Women's Retreat with Julie McGrath, Founder of The Joy Source ~ Description: This two-day retreat is a great way to recharge your personal batteries. Julie will speak on "Finding 25 Hours in a 24 Hour Day" and other topics of interest to women. Additionally, there will be opportunities for yoga with Shannon Danford and massage with Dori Stephens. Bio: Julie is a lifestyle speaker and the founder of The Joy Source, where she encourages women to stay true to themselves. Additionally, she is a licensed social worker and serves as Director of Psychiatric Crisis Service for an emergency room in a Boston area hospital. Dates: Friday, Mar. 23 & Saturday, Mar. 24. Cost: $50. Registration Deadline: Mar. 9.